Partition assembly



United States Patent 3,257,763 PARTITION ASSEMBLY Andrew B. Hammitt, 909 W. State St., Trenton, NJ. Original application Sept. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 137,562, new llatent No. 3,209,869, dated Oct. 5, 1965. Divided and this application June 16, 1965, Ser. No. 464,344 (Claims. ((31. 52-239) This application is a division of applicants copending application Serial No. 137,562, now U.S. Patent No. 3,209,869.

- This application relates to partition assemblies and is directed particularly to rail type partitions which include one or more horizontally extending elements which are spaced from and extend parallel to the floor or ceiling of a structure wherein the partition is installed.

As pointed out in said copending application, prior partition assemblies generally embody elements which are secured together by means of bolts, screws or other fastening means. -Moreover, rail type partitions frequently lack the strength and rigidity desired in many partition assemblies.

In accordance with the present invention, a new type of partition assembly is provided wherein the elements are so formed as to permitinterlocking of the elements in a manner which renders it unnecessary to employ bolts or the like in assembling the elements and erecting the partition. However, the elements when thus interlocked so reinforce and mutually support each other as to create a structure which possesses unusual strength and rigidity.

All of the elements employed in assemblies embodying the present invention may be easily fabricated in a factory in standard or usual sizes and lengths and may be varied in their arrangement to produce numerous alternative partition designs to meet widely varying conditions and architectural requirements.

A particular feature of such assemblies to which the present invention is directed relates to the combination of elements employing a post or column which is of channel form or generally H-shaped in cross section together with an element which cooperates with the post to support and position a horizontally extending rail of the partition assembly and which further serves to close a channel of the post or column so as to present a neat finished appearance to those portions of the post or column which extend below or above horizontal rails of the partition assembly.

Accordingly, the principal objects of the present invention are to provide rail type partition assemblies embodying a post or column of channeled form and a horizontally extending rail, with means for supporting and positioning the rail without resorting to the use of bolts, screws or other fastening means; to provide a partition assembly wherein rail supporting means serve to close a channel within a post or column so as to present a neat and finished appearance; and to provide novel rail type partition assemblies which are strong, rigid and capable of easy assembly or erection in any desired location.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof wherein reference is made to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical partition assembly embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustrating a portion of the construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the column, rails and positioning support of the assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the elements shown in FIG. 3 taken on the line 4-4 thereof.

In'that form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the partition assembly is of the rail type and embodies a plurality of sections. In the section 2, the partition embodies vertically extending posts 4 supported on the floor 6 by floor anchor members 3. The body of the section includes a panel or sheet of wall-forming material 10 and has a lower rail 12 and an upper rail 14 which extend horizontally along the upper and lower edges of the panel 10 from one of the posts 4 to another.

The section ]16 of the partition shown in FIG. 1 embodies a lower portion including a panel of wall-forming material 10 with horizontal rails 12 and 14 extending along the lower and upper edges of the panel. However, a glass window or pane 18 is located in the upper portion of the section 116 and extendsfrom the upper rail 14 above the panel 16 to a level substantially even with the tops of the posts 4. If desirable, the tops of the posts 4 may be provided with caps 20 but these are not necessary and serve only as trim.

The section 22 of the partition of FIG. 1 is similar to the section 2 but cooperates with other sections indicated at 24, 26 and 28. Thus, a four-way intersection which may include various types of sections may be employed for dividing an area into separate offices or other spaces as required in any particular installation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical posts 4 may terminate short of the ceiling 30 of the space wherein the partition is erected so that the upper ends of the posts are in alignment with the top rails or the upper edges of the glass panels of the sections. Nevertheless, if desired, one or more of the vertical posts may be extended to the ceiling 30 as indicated by the portion 32 of the post at the four-way intersection of the panels in FIG. 1.

The vertical posts 4, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are generally I-I-shaped in cross section and have parallel face portions 34 which are joined by an intermediate web 36. The opposite free edges of each of the face portions of the post are provided with inwardly projecting locking ribs 38 which extend lengthwise of the column. The locking ribs are preferably tapered in cross section so as to present a fiat exposed edge 40 and an inclined inner surface 42 terminating in a locking face 44 which extends substantially at right angles to the inner surface of the face portions 34 of the post.

Posts of this type may be readily formed of extruded metal, such as aluminum or one of its alloys, and may be cut into standard lengths for use in conventional or specified partition assemblies. However, such extrusions are capable of being readily cut with a saw in the event some special dimensions are required to meet unusual conditions. Therefore, adaptations or variations in the length of the posts can be made on the job without employing any special equipment or specially skilled workmen.

The lower and upper rails 12 and 14 employed in erecting the partitions are preferably U-shaped in cross section so as to have a base or exposed surface portion 46 and two opposite legs or side portions 48. The free edges of the side portions of the rails are preferably provided with inwardly projecting ribs 50 which are tapered in cross section to present an exposed edge 52 and an inclined inner surface 54. The width of the surface portions 46 of the rails is preferably substantially equal to the distance between the parallel face portions 34 of the post 4 so that the outer surfaces of the side portions 48 of the rails will be substantially flush with the face portions 34 of the posts when the rails and posts are assembled.

The rails also may be formed of extruded aluminum or other suitable or preferred material and may be cut to standard or specified lengths at the factory so that no cutting or modification of the rails on the job will ordinarily be necessary.

The ends of the rails 12 and 14 or any other horizontally extending elements of the assembly are formed to have an interlocking engagement with the posts 4 to assure a positive connection between the rails and posts. For this purpose, the rails are preferably cut, stamped or otherwise formed at each end as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Thus, the side portions 48 of the rail may be removed for a short distance adjacent the opposite ends of the rail so as to provide extensions 56 on the ends of the rail which project beyond the side portions 48. These extensions are of a width slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the face portions 34 of the posts 4 but greater in width than the distance between the inner extremities of the locking ribs 38 on the post. The extensions 56 are notched or otherwise formed to interlock with the inwardly projecting locking ribs 38 on the free edges of the face portions 34 of the vertical posts 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each of the opposite edges 58 of the extension 56 on the end of the rail is provided with a notch presenting a side 60 which extends inwardly :at right angles to the longitudinal edge 58 of the extension and an inclined side 62 which extends from the base of the notch to a point in alignment with the right angularly extending end 64 of the adjacent side portion 48 of the rail. The right angular side 60 of the notch and the inclined side 62 thereof are shaped to correspond generally to the surfaces 44 and 42 respectively of the locking ribs 38 on the posts 4.

The construction thus provided permits quick and easy assembly of the elements to erect a portion without the use of any fastening means except in the floor anchor for the posts. A strong rigid interlocking structure may be produced nevertheless. For this purpose, the lower ends of the posts 4 may be secured to the floor 6 by any suitable means. As shown in FIG. 3, a floor anchor 8 may be used and may be formed of two similar sections 66 adapted to be secured together by screws 68 or the like. Each half of the floor anchor is provided with a base portion 70 adapted to be secured to the floor by bolts or screws and has a sleeve portion 72 which projects upwardly from the base to receive and fit tightly about the lower end of the vertical post 4. The sections of the floor anchors are, of course, positioned in the properly spaced relation and locations to receive the vertical posts 4 and after insertion of the lower end of the post therein the sections are tightened about the lower end of the post by tightening the screws 68 to grip the post firmly and hold it in an erect position.

In order to support and position the lower rail 12 of the assembly and increase the strength and rigidity of the entire installation, a positioning support member 74 is inserted into the laterally facing channel 76 of the post 4. The lower end of the member 74 may engage the door 6 but preferably rests against the upper face 78 of the base portion 70 of the floor anchor 8 as shown in FIG. 4. The member 74 is of a length determined by the distance which the lower rail 12 of the partition is to be spaced from the fioor 6. In this way, the upper end of the support member 74 serves to position and form a rest for the extension 56 of the rail 12 which is located within the channel of the post 4. The rail will, therefore, be positively and fixedly mounted in a predetermined elevated position so as to provide rigid support therefor which serves to strengthen the entire partition assembly.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the positioning suport member 74 is preferably of a generally U-shaped cross section and presents an outer face 80 which is of such width as to close the laterally facing channel 76 of the post 4 between the floor 6, or the anchor 8, and the lower surface 46 of the rail 12. The sides 82 of the member 74 are provided on their outer faces with ribs 84 which extend longitudinally of the member 74 for locking engagement with the locking ribs 38 on the inner surfaces of the face portions 34 of the post or column 4. The member 74 may be pressed into the open side of the channel 76 of the post due to the yielding nature of the free edges of the side face portions 34 of the post. In the alternative, the member 74 may be slipped endwise into the channel with the face of the member flush with the exposed edges 40 of the locking ribs 38 and the longitudinally extending ribs 84 on the sides 82 of the supporting member engaging the ribs 38 on the inner surface of the face portions 34 of the post.

In either case, the supporting member 74 serves the combined purpose of positioning and supporting the rail 12 to strengthen the partition and increase the rigidity of the assembly, and at the same time to close the channel 76 of the post 4 so as to present a neat, finished and attractive appearance which also serves to exclude dust and dirt in a manner to render the construction clean and sanitary.

While the positioning support 74 is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 as used in positioning and supporting the lower rail 12 of the partition assembly, it also may be applied to the portion 32 of the post 4 which projects above the upper rail 14 of the partition. In this way, both the upper and lower rails of the partition may be fixedly secured in place and held in position in a manner to strengthen the assembly further and preclude displacement or possible loosening of the elements employed in erecting the partition.

In any event, the construction provided is capable of assembly and erection without the use of bolts, screws or other conventional fastening means, whereas the elements are positively located and held in fixed positions so as to provid a rigid construction of neat, attractive appearance. The partition may be disassembled as readily as it is erected, without damage to the elements whereby it may be erected in a different location in the event this should be necessary or desirable.

It will, of course, be apparent that numerous changes may be made in the length, form and construction of the elements to position the upper and lower rails of the partition at any desired elevation and to permit-use of the invention with partitions embodying various types and sizes of panels or wall-forming members.

In view thereof, it should be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing and described above is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A rail type partition assembly comprising a vertical post which is H-shaped in cross section and provided with parallel faces having inwardly projecting locking ribs extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the vertical edges of said parallel faces, a supporting and positioning member located in a channel formed by the parallel faces of the post and formed with means thereon in retaining engagement with said locking ribs, said supporting and positioning member presenting an upper end located within said channel, and a horizontal rail provided with an end portion projecting into said channel of the post and bearing against the upper end of said supporting and positioning member.

2. A partition assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting and positioning member presents an outer face which is substantially flush with the edges of the parallel faces of the post.

3. A partition assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting member is generally U-shaped in cross section and the outer surfaces of said member has longitudinally extending ribs thereon engaging the locking ribs on the parallel faces of the post.

4. A rail type partition comprising a vertical post which is H-shaped in cross section and presents oppositely facing channels between parallel faces of said post, a horizontal rail which is generally U-shaped in cross section arranged with the base of-said rail facing downward and the upwardly extending sides thereof substantially flush with said parallel faces of said post, said side faces of the post each having a locking rib located on the inner surface thereof and extending vertically adjacent the edges of said parallel faces, the base of said rail having an extension thereon extending into a channel between the parallel faces of said post and formed with notches in opposite sides thereof engaging the locking ribs on said parallel faces of the post, and a positioning and supporting member which is generally U-shaped'in cross section located in said channel and formed with means on the outer faces thereof engaging said locking ribs, the extension on the base of said rail bearing against the upper end of said supporting member and said supporting member presenting an outer surface closing the channel between the parallel faces of said post.

5. A partition assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the lower end of said post is supported on a floor anchor surrounding the post and the lower end of said supporting and positioning member bears against an upwardly facing surface of said floor anchor.

No references cited.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A RAIL TYPE PARTITION ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A VERTICAL POST WHICH IS H-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION AND PROVIDED WITH PARALLEL FACES HAVING INWARDLY PROJECTING LOCKING RIBS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF ADJACENT THE VERTICAL EDGES OF SAID PARALLEL FACES, A SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEMBER LOCATED IN A CHANNEL FORMED BY THE PARALLEL FACES OF THE POST AND FORMED WITH MEANS THEREON IN RETAINING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LOCKING RIBS, SAID SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEMBER PRESENTING AN UPPER END LOCATED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL, AND A HORIZONTAL RAIL PROVIDED WITH AN END PORTION PROJECTING INTO SAID CHANNEL OF THE POST AND BEARING AGAINST THE UPPER END OF SAID SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEMBER. 